CVD prevention must be national health priority, says report

Urgent action is needed to tackle widespread inequalities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates in the UK with a ‘scale up’ of CVD prevention in primary care, The King’s Fund has said.

In a new report, the authors highlight the need for Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), which take a ‘whole-system’ approach, focusing on CVD prevention. They warn that current efforts fall short of Government ambitions, leading to inconsistencies in care and health inequalities.

The report from the independent health policy think tank calls for ‘bold’ local action, strengthening partnerships and improving coordination between the NHS, public health teams, and local government, as well as a greater focus on CVD prevention in primary care.

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One of the three shifts outlined in the Government’s 10 year health plan is to move from ‘sickness to prevention’.

The King’s Fund said: ‘Consistently taking a preventive approach to CVD in primary care could help to reduce the prevalence of CVD significantly. At the core of this is proactive monitoring of people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or atrial fibrillation, as well as people with established CVD or related diseases, and ensuring that they receive appropriate medications and other forms of support that reduce the risk of disease onset, progression or recurrence.’

Significant inequalities in CVD outcomes

CVD is one of the leading causes of disability and mortality in the UK, as well as being a major cause of economic inactivity. Around 7.6 million people live with heart disease, which leads to around a quarter of premature deaths, or deaths under 75 years, every year. Inequalities in CVD outcomes remain significant and must be addressed.

ICSs have the potential to lead the way in implementing early intervention and prevention measures, but many currently prioritise acute care over long-term public health strategies.

The authors argue that, with the support of integrated care boards (ICBs) and other local health organisations, primary care can play a key role in preventing CVD. To achieve this, primary care needs to be ‘redesigned’ around prevention, with pathways that prioritise proactive monitoring and interventions, and utilise the existing workforce in a smarter, more flexible manner.

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Within primary care, the authors emphasise the need for improved local support for the early identification and management of CVD. Proactive identification, monitoring and treatment of high-risk individuals in primary care can help to prevent heart attacks, strokes and deaths, but this needs to be implemented much more consistently across England. Delivery is fragmented and often hindered by short-term funding, poor accountability, and insufficient coordination between sectors.

Funding for tackling risk factors for CVD

The authors are calling on the Government to ‘tackle the barriers’ that prevent evidence-based approaches from being universally adopted across GP practices in England. This includes providing GP practices and PCNs with the training, support, and technical help they need to transform pathways and utilise existing data and toolkits, including accessing data sources and tools such as CVDPREVENT and CVDACTION.

Additional assistance is required from national bodies, which can help maintain and strengthen local capabilities for prevention, including operational management support and analytical expertise, as well as clinical and professional leadership.

The report also emphasises the importance of tackling risk factors such as smoking, obesity, poor diet, and inactivity, as well as addressing social and economic influences on health, including housing, employment, and education. The authors conclude that long-term funding and a clear strategic framework are necessary to enable ICSs to deliver consistent and effective CVD care, ensuring it remains a national health priority.

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Reference: Shifting to prevention: how integrated care systems can tackle cardiovascular disease. July 2025.